Carton



J. OREILLY Sept. 19, 1933.

CARTON Filed July 10, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ill.

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p 19,1933- J. OREILL.Y 1,927,321

CARTON *j July 10, 1951 z shee'tssheet 2 INVENTOR B Y W YQMM R Patented Sept. 19, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARTON Joe OReilly, Tacoma, Wash.

Application July 10, 1931. Serial No. 549,871

12 Claims. 22929) This invention relates to improvements in carbe made, the blank being shown in flattened contons and more particularly to the construction of a cardboard carton for the packing of eggs, or like articles, and the object of the invention is to produce a simplified and novel construction, suitable for a plurality of eggs, and which is normally collapsed prior to use but may be easily, quickly and without use of any special devices, set up ready for use, and when in use will provide an eifective cushioning and protecting container for its contents.

Explanatory to the present invention it will be here stated that there are certain cartons for this purpose now on the market which have proven very satisfactory insofar as protecting their contents is concerned. For example, a carton like that of United States Patent No. 1,766,155 is quite extensively used, but there are a number of objectionable features which, to a certain extent, offset its desirable ones; the principal objection is that the carton can not easily be set up by hand and in most instances machines are furnished for this purpose to facilitate this operation.

In view of the above it has been an object of this invention to provide a carton especially suited to the packagingof eggs, which is easily and readily set up by hand requiring only that the two opposite side wall portions of the collapsed carton be pressed toward each other in order to bring all of the walls and partitions from collapsed relation into position to form the individual compartments in which the articles are to be packed.

More specifically stated, the present invention resides in the formation of a carton of this character from a single blank of cardboard, and also in the novelty and arrangement of parts to permit their assembly in collapsed condition and which, by a simple operation effected by the hand in which the carton may be easily held, may be set up ready for use, and when set up will comprise individual, cushioned compartments for a plurality of eggs.

Other objects of the invention reside in the specific details of construction and in the combination of parts and in their mode of operation, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing these and other objects, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Rig. 1 is a view of a formed blank from which acarton according to the present invention is to dition.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of a carton formed from the blank and set up as in use;

I Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a portion of the blank enlarged to better show details of construction.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the first folding operation in forming the carton from the prepared blank.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the second folding operation.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of grasping the collapsed carton for setting it up.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view looking at the carton from the end opposite that shown in Fig. 7, and illustrating the attachment of the transverse partition members to the longitudinal partition.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the carton.

Referring more in detail to the several views of the drawings The present carton is intended primarily for the packaging of eggs, or other fragile articles, and, as a general rule, it is made in such dimensions as to accommodate one dozen eggs in two parallel rows. Each egg is contained in an individual compartment, and these compartsments are formed by the outer side and end walls of the carton, a longitudinal partition wall and a plurality of transverse partition members. When the carton is collapsed, these partition members and walls lie flatly together in a manner to permit the cartons to be stacked, but when the carton is set up, the-partition members, by reason of their construction and manner of attachment, automatically assume their proper relation to form the compartments without any special manipulation or interlocking such as is objectionable in most devices of this character.

The present carton is formed from a single piece of cardboard, designated at 1, of rectangular form and composed of a plurality of connected sections set off by parallel creases or lines of scoring 2 which extend across the blank in the lengthwise direction of the finished carton and thus separate the blank into its various component parts. The different sections of the blank defined by the scored lines 2 as shown in Fig. 1, from left to right, are designated, respectively, by reference characters 3, 4, 5, 6. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.

The section 3 across one end of the blank forms the locking strip for the cover section,

and it is provided with a plurality of tabs 3a with laterally extended teeth 14 to engage with other parts, as will presently be described, to hold the cover in closed position when the carton is packed. At the other end of the blank is a narrow section 13 entirely across that end which serves as an attaching strip which, in the formation of the carton, is glued or otherwise attached to the wall section 5 as presently described, to hold the carton in form.

The section 4 forms the top, or cover portion of the carton, and this, along one edge, is integral with the locking strip 3 and, along its other edge, is integral with the section 5 which forms one of the side walls of the carton. ,The section 11 is designed to form the opposite side wall section.

Intermediate the wall sections 5 and 11 are the sections 6, '7, 9 and 10 which constitute the bottom of the carton and the section 8 which is folded to form a central longitudinal partition that is integral with the bottom. The bottom, in cross section, is of a shallow W-shape; the sections 6 and 10 forming the outer longitudinal parts thereof, and the sections '7 and 9 forming the inner parts while the section 8 is folded upon itself along a longitudinal center crease to form the longitudinal partition wall as seen in Figure 2.

The section 12 is cut in a novel manner to provide the transverse partitions which, together with the longitudinal partition, separate the individual compartments in the finished carton.

Novelty of the present carton resides in the construction arrangement and attachment of parts whereby the device can be easily set up and whereby the parts automatically will assume their proper relationship. This is by reason of special formation and attachment of parts included in the section 8 forming the central partition, and the partition forming parts constituting the section 12.

The section 8 is cut in a manner to define a series of partially severed flaps 18 which, as seen in Figs. 1 and 4, are evenly spaced apart and extend the width of the section 8; the upper flap of the series is spaced inwardly from the upper edge of the blank and the lower one projects beyond the lower edge of the blank; there being seven fiaps in all in a carton for rows of six compartments. These flaps are severed from the blank by substantially parallel opposite side cuts 19-19, which cuts, at their lower ends, are roundas at 20, into an upwardly arched connecting base cut 21. The flaps are scored across their upper portions between the upper ends of the cuts 19-19 as indicated in dotted lines at 22 to permit their being folded upwardly along this line. Also, each of the flaps is provided with two converging scores or cuts 23-23 which start from a medial point of scored line 22 and extend in diverging relation to the opposite lower corner of the flap at a degree angle to each other: the starting point of these scored lines or cuts being just below the end of one leg of a laterally directed U-shaped cut 24 that sets off a tongue 25. There is also a cut 27 extending from the end of the upper leg of the U-shaped cut 24 to points close to the base cut 21 of the fiap next above. All of the cuts 27 are alined and centrally of the section 8 so as to provide for easy folding of the parts at opposite sides of the tongues into back to back contact along the line of cuts 27. thus to bring the adjacent edges of sections 7 and 9 together, as in Fig. 2. In so folding the section 8 it forms a longitudinal, vertical partition in the container and the central portion of each flap 18, as seen in Fig. 2, will assume a vertical position and the opposite side parts will fold inwardly along the scored lines or cuts 23 and will come flatly against the back of the central portion, thus to brace and hold the parts of the folded partition firmly together. The tab 18, in this way serves as a tie for the two parts of the folded section 8.

The section 12 likewise is formed with a series of partially severed flaps 30 corresponding in spacing and in number to the fiaps 18 and alined therewith in the blank. These flaps 30 are defined by opposite side cuts 31-31, and base cuts 32. The side cuts 31 are slightly inset at their upper ends from the bounding lines of the section to give clearance when the carton is folded and from near their upper ends downwardly they converge slightly and lead into the base cuts near their outer ends. The base cuts are of shallow W-form and, as seen in Figure 4, comprise outer leg portions 32 corresponding in length substantially to the width of the bottom wall sections 6 and 10. and inner leg portions designated at 32a, which lead into a horizontal cut 321;. An upwardly arched semicircular cut 33 directly above the cut 32a and connected to the ends thereof forms a cutout 34. These flaps 30 are connected to the body of the blank at opposite sides by the narrow necks of material, as at 35, between the upper ends of the side cuts and outer ends of the base cuts, and scoring, as shown in dotted lines at 2a, is placed across these necks to permit easy folding. Also, score lines shown in dotted lines at 36 are extended between the upper ends of the side cuts and the lower ends of the outer legs of the base cuts, to permit the tabs to be folded downwardly. The opposite end tabs have offsets in the base cuts as at 37 to form extensions for interlocking in slits 38 in the sections '7 and 9 when the parts are set up.

Assuming the blank to be so prepared for use, the carton is formed therefrom in the following manner: First the blank as shown in Fig. 1 is folded back upon itself along the scored line 2 between the sections 10 and 11. as in Fig. 5, so that sections 11, 12, and 13 overlie the sections '7. 8, 9 and 10 and the outer edge of the attaching strip 13 is then substantially flush with the scored line 2 between sections 6 and '7. and the center line of the row of flaps 30 coincides with the center line of row of flaps 18. However, just prior to this folding of the blank, glue or other adhesive is applied to the flaps 18 within the lines 23-23 as indicated by the stippling shown thereon in Fig. 1, and when this first folding operation is done. the flaps 30 are pressed against these glued surfaces so that the flaps 18 will thus be firmly attached to'the central portions of the flaps 30.

The next operation is to apply an adhesive to the uppper surface of attaching strip 13 as indicated by the stippling 39 thereon in Fig. 5; then the sections 3, 4 and 5 are folded back along the crease between sections 5 and 6, to overlie the sections 13 and 12, as seen in Fig. 6, so that the section 5 will centrally overlap the attaching strip 13 and the two will be firmly attached by the glue on the latter.

The cartons are then stacked and stored until ready for use.

To set up the carton for use, it is grasped in the hand as seen in Fig. 7, then by pressing inwardly or' the edges by which it is held, the bottom sections 6, 7, 9 and 10 are caused to assume the W-form, as of Fig. 2, and the side walls to assume parallel, vertical positions. This operation causes the opposite side portions of the section 8 to fold together, along the line of cuts 27 into back to back relation to form the elongitudinal partition in the carton. This folding action causes each of the flaps 18 to be folded along the cuts 23-23 and along the scoring 22 in a manner such that the triangular central part of the flap will assume an upright position, and will fold against the triangular sectLons between the cuts 23 and scoring 22 at each side of the flap. This folding action is illustrated in Fig. 8. Thus, this folding of the section 8 causes the transverse partition members 30 attached to tabs 18 to be drawn to an upright position, and in doing so, they fold downwardly along the scoring 36 and their w-shaped bottom edges are caused to be fitted to the correspondingly shaped bottom wall and thereby to hold the carton in a set up condition ready for filling. Then the projections 37 of the opposite end tabs are inserted in the slits 38 in the ends of sections '7 and 9 to lock the parts against collapsing. In folding the partition members 30 downwardly, their attaching portions at opposite side edges form horizontal webs 40 as seen best in Fig. 8.

In the setting up of the carton the tongues 25 swing with the parts to which they are attached to an upright position as in Fig. 3, and their end portions abut against the upper edges of the transverse partition members 30, thus to hold the latter upright.

After the carton is filled, the cover may then be secured thereover by tucking the tabs 3a of the attaching strip 3 down within the outer side wall 11 and applying the hooks 14 to the horizontal attached sections, 40, (see Fig. 9) by which the partitions are connected to the opposite side walls. Thus it will be seen that by a simple operation the carton is set up ready for use, and

will afford a very substantial, protective container for articles placed therein.

Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A carton comprising a single blank folded and joined to form a collapsed container including a collapsed longitudinal partition forming section, a plurality of collapsed transverse partition forming portions, and tabs individually connecting the latter portions with the said longitudinal partition forming section whereby erection of the carton and longitudinal partition automatically adjusts the transverse partitions into functional position.

2. A carton comprising a single blank folded upon itself and joined to form a collapsed container including a body section that is foldable, incident to erection of the carton, into a longi tudinal partition provided at regular intervals therealong with partially severed tabs, another body section provided at like intervals with an equal number of partially severed flaps to form transverse partitions, each flapbeing connected by one of said tabs to the first mentioned partition section whereby erection of the collapsed carton automatically effects adjustment of the transverse partitions into functional position.

3. A carton formed by a single blank, scored, folded and joined to form a flatly collapsed con: tainer, including a body section that is foldable upon itself along a longitudinal line when the carton is erected, to form a longitudinal partition; said section having a plurality of tabs partially severed therefrom along its length, another body section including a like number of partially severed flaps overlying and attached to the said tabs to be drawn thereby into an upright position transversely of the longitudinal partition incident to folding the latter.

4. A carton formed by a single blank folded and joined to form a collapsed container, and including a body section that is foldable upon itself along a longitudinal line, incident to erection of the carton, to provide a longitudinal partition, a series of partially severed tabs arranged along said section across the folding line each to assume an upright position transversely of the partition when it is folded, another body section comprising a series of partially severed flaps to form transverse partitions, each fiap being centrally joined to a corresponding tab whereby folding of the longitudinal partition moves the transverse partitions to upright position through the recesses of the longitudinal partition provided in the formation and folding of the tabs.

5. A carton formed by a single blank, folded and joined to form a collapsed container and scored to define its various sections including opposite side walls, a bottom partition forming section foldable back upon itself along a longitudinal line, when the carton is erected, to form a longitudinal partition and having a series of partially severed tabs across the folding line, each to assume a position transversely of the folded partition, another partition forming section comprising a series of flaps partially severed therefromto serve as transverse partitions and corn nected at their ends to the said side wall and to the said tabs of the longitudinal partition whereby erection of the carton adjusts the parts into functional position.

6. A carton comprising a single blank folded and joined to form a collapsed container and scored to define its various parts including two bottom forming sections and a partition forming section between them; the latter being foldable upon itself along a central longitudinal line when the carton is erected, to form an upright partition and to thereby bring the two bottom forming sections into juxtaposition; said partition forming section including a longitudinal line of partially severed tabs extended across the folding line with body portions thereof adapted to assume posh tions transversely of the folded partition and with lateral wing portions connected with the body and with the partition parts and foldable back on the body portions to hold the folded parts of the partition together.

'7. A carton comprising a single blank, folded upon itself to form a collapsed container and scored to define its various parts including two bottomforming sections, a partition forming sec-- tion between and joining them, opposite side wall sections joined with the outer edges of the bot tom forming sections, and a second partition forming section overlying the one first mentioned.

will be drawn downwardly and to upright position between the side walls by reason of the connection when the carton is erected.

8. A carton as in claim 'I, wherein each bottom section is scored lengthwise to fold into a V- shaped valley, and the transverse partitions have lower edge portions shaped to fit within the valleys, thereby to brace the bottom wall sections against lateral spreading while supported by said permanent connections.

9. A carton asin claim 7 wherein the longitudinal partition section comprises a plurality of partially severed tabs whereby said partially severed flaps are attached thereto to draw the flaps downwardly to vertical positions transversely of the longitudinal partition incident to erection of the carton, and wherein the said bottom forming sections are scored lengthwise to fold into V-shaped valleys to be brought into juxtaposition by folding together of the iongitudinal partition forming section, and wherein the transverse flaps have bottom edges shaped to fit within the valleys to brace the bottom sections against spreading.

10. A carton formed from a single blank folded and joined to form a collapsed container, and scored to define sections for a cover portion, opposite side walls, bottom portions, a longitudinal partition and a section for the formation of transverse partitions; said longitudinal partition forming section functionally connecting the bottom forming sections and including a series of partially severed tabs, said section being foldable upon itself along a longitudinal line when the carton is erected to form an upright partition between the bottom sections, the other partition forming section comprising a series of partially severed flaps directly overlying the said tabs and attached thereto and to the opposite side wall carton is erected to form a longitudinal partition,

another section comprising a plurality of partially severed flaps overlying the first mentioned partition section having a plurality of partially severed tabs extending across the fold attached to the flaps and whereby the latter will be drawn to functional position incident to folding the partition, also having partially severed tongues directed laterally from the line of the fold and adapted when the partition is folded to engage and brace the flaps against collapsing movement.

12. A carton formed from a single blank, scored in parallel lines to define two bottom forming sections, a longitudinal partition forming section between them, opposite side wall sections continuing, respectively, from the two bottom forming sections and a transverse partition forming section continuing from one side wall andattached at its outer edge to the opposite side wall section along a line at which the combined widths of the bottom forming section and the intermediate partition forming section when flattened out will equal the span of the flattened side walls and the transverse partition forming section as joined, thereby permitting the carton to be flatly collapsed by folding only along the lines of scoring between the side wall and bottom wall sections.

JOE OREILLY. 

